Cat’s Eye Vintage

I love Cat, and Cat’s Eye Vintage.
Each time I have been here, and at each location I’ve visited, I’ve found absolute gems. I love my vintage clothes, so shopping at Cat’s Eye is not just a joy for me in that regard, it’s a great place to go to meet other vintage lovers and chat with them.
I’ve brought both more modern second hand pieces with a vintage flair and older pieces here, including a 1950’s pale blue day dress, and my latest find, a 1950’s houndstooth dress that makes me look like Joan from Mad Men!
There’s a lot to look through (it’s a pretty crammed space) but if you’re looking for something specific, Cat really knows her stock and will search for pieces that meet your ideas.
Some things are in better condition than others (as always with vintage) but the prices are really good, especially in comparison to some other vintage stores, and Cat will give you a discount if she has a piece that you want which will need repairs.

This place is has moved again! Don’t be fooled by her last sale — she is not out of business. I can’t explain how happy I was to find this out! SO HappY!
She’s running her store out of her new apartment which is above Personal Best & Petite at 1301, 10 Ave SW. There isn’t a Cat’s Eye sign, but you can see some clothing in the windows.
Cat has still has the same store number, so call her if you were planning on dropping by. She’s open by appointment only now. Showing up at the door and ringing to see if she can let you in her counts as an appointment, so she’s pretty laid back about it.
If you are looking for something specific it would be best to call or email ahead of time as she doesn’t have room for all her stock where she is. This way she promises to look for items for you and bring them to her place for you to browse.

Do you need a period costume for Halloween and don’t want to break your piggy bank (piggy banks need lovin too) then stop into Cat’s Eye.
You may miss it however so pay close attention, this unassuming factory looking shop stop is over 2000 square feet of racks upon racks upon racks of vintage and retro clothing. But once you do find it there is tons of ample parking in the front.
Even better is the affordable pricing, you will find what you absolutey need here for your Halloween costume or your theme party.
Put a lid on it… cause you can… hundreds of authentic hats… military, 40s glam, rock star, fedoras, it just goes on and on.
I love the vintage hat holders and racks from the 60s and all the vintage and retro items, lamps, figurines, clocks, record stands etc etc.
Then to top this all off is the owner herself, very sweet and socially aware Cat. She is on a rampage to support the arts community, women and the youth in the city. Going so far as sending cratefuls of furniture and clothing to Africa and offering arts students studio spaces to paint.
So come in and get your shop on in such a hot mess and support Cats Eye!
If you feel like volunteering come in and help out with this too as she has thousands of clothing that she needs to get out on the floor.

Need a 50’s prom dress? A vintage tux rental? Cool western shirts for Stampede? Depression-​era hats? Retro jewelry? Cat’s Eye is one of those places that can truly call itself a unique treasure in Calgary. There just isn’t anything to compare it to!
I think back to my high school days when 17^th Ave had this tiny but wonderful vintage shop called Harlow that was a visit to eras past. Cat’s Eye is like 10 Harlows and chocked full of vintage & costume goodness. It would take oodles of hours to browse through everything! It’s literally 1000’s of feet of rack upon rack of retro goodness. There’s even some collectibles, furniture, jewelry, ties, hats and footwear. I adore the gowns and know the instant I feel like putting together a Sex-​in-​the-​City-​Carrie-​NYC-​eclectic-​ensemble, that this would be the place to go. Looking for something authentic and quality for Halloween or a costume partay? You’ll have a delightful adventure finding it here!

Despite the place being in a state of confusion more often than not, and repeat phone calls to ask the boss for prices — you are likely to leave with something. Cat’s Eye is a behemoth of a shop with lots of genuine vintage pieces mixed in with a mélange of random throw-​backs to 1996. Just don’t fall in love with the mid-​century tap shoes or any number of rad party dresses because they are «not for sale». Apparently they do rentals.